Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) has given the go ahead for a major study in how to improve the building of low carbon housing.

A team from Robert Gordon University's Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment (SSS) was awarded the commission following a competitive tender process.

Academics will assess the gap between current methods and the cutting edge techniques which could be used.

ACSEF hopes to use the results of the study to encourage local builders to adopt lower carbon forms of constructions.

Gerad Buda, project manager at RGU, said: "My colleagues and I are very pleased to have been commissioned to carry out this important piece of research and also to have the expertise of the School and University recognised in this way.

"The principles of energy design are continuously advancing towards the achievement of zero carbon, however the ceiling on performance is seldom pushed beyond current regulatory standards for reasons of cost savings, competitiveness and commercial imperative. As such, we find that the best examples of green construction in the UK can only be found in the niche housing market."

ACSEF's flagship project is the Energetica corridor which aims to attract world class companies across a stretch of land between Aberdeen and Peterhead.

Sara Budge, Energetica project director, said: "We are excited to be working with SSS on this important project. Energetica aims to secure Aberdeens position as a global energy hub by offering a unique business environment founded on the principles of low carbon dependency."